Clarification about Sandeep and Asha for Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Asha for Education reaffirms its mission to catalyze socio-economic change in India through education for underprivileged children. Recently, Dr. Sandeep Pandey, who co-founded Asha for Education, was awarded the 2002 Ramon Magsaysay Award for “Emergent Leadership”. In electing Sandeep Pandey to receive the prestigious award, the board of trustees recognizes the “empowering example of his commitment to the transformation of India’s marginalized poor”. Asha for Education has benefited greatly from Dr. Pandey’s views on education and is delighted for the honor he has received. During the last few days, Dr. Pandey has given several interviews. However, some of his statements have been quoted out of context, resulting in many inquiries to Asha for Education for clarification. Dr. Pandey, a Gandhian in his ways, is a grass-roots activist who is involved in many activities that are beyond the scope of Asha for Education, such as, globalization and nuclear disarmament. Most of his campaign level activities and political stands are due to his involvement with forums like Sarva Sewa Sangha (a national network of Gandhian organizations), National Alliance for People’s Movements (NAPM), and Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace. No part of these activities are funded by Asha for Education. Asha for Education continues to be focused on its mission to catalyze socio-economic change in India through education for underprivileged children. Asha does not have any political or religious affiliations, neither does it endorse or support any political or religious activities. Asha supports educational activities that promote communal harmony. In 2001, Asha for Education supported over 150 project-partner initiatives, in the areas of education and associated community development including the ones led by Dr. Sandeep Pandey. Asha is a non-hierarchical organization, with its mission and activities decided by its volunteers collectively, instead of by any single volunteer. Individual volunteer opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of Asha for Education, our supporters, donors or project-partners. “Over the last 10 years, we have diligently been working towards our goal of children’s education,” says Melliyal Annamalai, the President of Asha for Education. “We have earned the trust of our volunteers, supporters and donors through our actions, the results of which are easy to see in the eyes of any of the thousands of children we support. We need help from all individuals and groups, from all over the world, who care about India’s future and its children,” she added.

About Asha for Education

Asha for Education is an action group dedicated to catalyze socio-economic change in India through education of underprivileged children. Asha for Education is a tax-exempt organization in the U.S. per the IRS code Section 501 C(3). All contributions to it are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Asha does not deduct overhead from donations for administrative expenses; 100% of donations are sent to its education projects### Press Relations: Netika Raval; 650-814-7322; pr@ashanet.org

Asha for Education is a fully volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit with 66 chapters around the world whose mission is to catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children. Click here for more details about us.

We work with over 300 projects spread across the length and breadth of India. The projects deal with educational issues from pre-primary schooling to professional education in locations from urban slums to isolated rural areas. Click here to learn more.

You can help us in our mission in a variety of ways. You can join a local chapter, get involved with projects in India at an intimate level with the Asha Stars program, help us with our fundraising efforts, visit a project in India, intern with us or our project partners or Donate! Click here to learn more.